Tuesday, May 11, 2010

How Dynamic!

Well, in my case, it was broke so I just changed that quote up a bit. So, what to do?

I happened across one of Stacy's blog posts, In Case You Missed It, on Wilderness Running a couple of months ago and after reading it I decided to give it a try. It was a link to an article/video about this little thing called dynamic stretching for runners. Hmmm, I've heard of that before. But, me being me, I've never looked into it because I didn't see a need to change anything up. Well, now I have a need to change things up. Ever since watching the short video and reading the quick write-up about the stretches I've been doing them. Before every run now I go through 10 reps of each stretch, rather than the old static stretches I used to always do (figure-4 stretch, calf stretches, ham and quad stretches). Static stretching should be reserved for post-run, technically, when your muscles are warmed up and pliable. Dynamic stretching is best before a run. Your muscles are cold beforehand and all they need are a little warm-up (hence, dynamic) and slight elongation (hence, stretch) without any real stress placed on them.

These stretches feel good and loosen up all the right places (hips, hams, calves) really well, they also kind of get my heart rate up sometimes. Going on two months now and things feel pretty darn good. I highly recommend giving these a try. It takes all of two minutes, three minutes tops before heading out for a run. It certainly can't hurt!

5 comments:

Hmm, I remember Stacy posting that, but I never got around to checking out the video.In the speed class I took this spring, we did "dynamic warm-ups." I wonder how similar that is to these stretches? I definitely learned a few things from them and have added them to my routine. I'll have to check out the video and see if this is the same thing, or something new I can play with!

I'm guessing this stuff and what you learned will be pretty similar. I think I would definitely rename these 'warm-ups' rather than 'stretches' come to think of it. I'm pretty toasty by the time I finish! So basic, yet super effective!

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